Our Previous award winners

ATA Scientific would like to thank all those that participated in the Sept/Oct issue of our Travel Award promotion.

Congratulations to our first prize winner, Miss Nikola Van de Wetering, a budding organic petrologist currently in her 3rd year of undergraduate studies, from the University of Queensland, School of Earth Sciences.

Nikola is currently undertaking a research project relating to the coal deposits within the Bowen Basin. Her research is aimed at identifying and understanding vegetation successions in the late Permian, and how they may relate to local changes in environment and regional changes in climate interpreted from stable carbon isotopes

“I’m passionate about field work and understanding ancient environments which lead me to work with my supervisor Prof. Joan Esterle who has been expert in the field for some time” said Nikola.

“Thank you very much for this opportunity! It is perfect timing and will help me substantially with my research”

Nikola plans to use her award to assist her to purchase a new laptop with the appropriate software needed for her research in Brazil. At the end of November, Nikola will be travelling to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro to learn the procedures involved in palynological facies identification, and how to use pollen to further understand the palaeobotany of coals. Nikola will be working at the Laboratory for Palylnofacies and Organic Facies (LAFO).

Congratulations to our second prize winner Rupert Shuttleworth, based at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Epigenetics laboratory under his supervisor Dr Catherine Suter.

Dr Suter’s laboratory focuses on epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence itself. Dr Suter’s group is dedicated to the investigation of the role that epigenetics plays in phenotypic variation and human disease.

Rupert has a background in Computer Science and Mathematics. His current research interests are in applying computing technology to help solve biological problems. Earlier this year Rupert focused on differential expression analysis in brain tumour cells and more recently has been working on high performance sequence annotation and ways of using neural networks to help find patterns in large amounts of biological data.

Rupert plans to use his prize money to attend the the BioInfo Summer 2012 meeting (AMSI Summer Symposium in Bioinformatics, 3-7 December 2012) being held at the University of Adelaide, SA. The award will cover his travel expenses and registration.

We would like to thank all those that participated. If you would like to learn more about the image used in our competition, please click here.

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ATA Scientific would like to thank all those that participated in entering our recent award that included the free use of a Kinexus Intelligent Rotational Rheometer PLUS $1,000 study award. The winner of the award will receive free use of a Kinexus rotational rheometer, training and a cheque for A$1,000.

We were pleased to have received so many quality entries with diverse applications from a range of Universities and Institutions around Australia and NZ . With so many entries we expected the selection process for the final winner would be long and difficult – and it was. Each proposal was carefully reviewed and judged on the degree of relevance, originality and the potential for publication.

Congratulations to Ms Xuefei (Sophie) Liu, from the University of New South Wales, School of Chemical Engineering, Membrane Center for her proposal on “Hydraulic study of activated sludge with coagulant addition in Membrane Bioreactors”. Xuefei works as part of the research team for the UNESCO Center for Membrane Science and Technology, under her supervisor Professor Greg Leslie. A copy of the winning proposal is available here.

If you are interested in using a Kinexus Rotational rheometer for your project, we are planning on having the Kinexus instrument available over the next few months at various locations following the completion of the winning proposal. Please contact us at your earliest convenience to set up an appointment to discuss how we can help with your required measurements.

We would like to thank all those that participated.

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Congratulations to our first prize winner, Mr Jeffrey Kelleway, PhD Candidate at University of Technology Sydney (UTS). His supervisor Prof. Peter Ralph (Plant Physiology and Climate Change Cluster C3, UTS) leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving predictions about the impacts of climate change.

Jeffrey is currently undertaking postgraduate research at UTS, investigating carbon sequestration in coastal saltmarsh wetlands. Jeffrey hopes identify the processes which allow carbon to accumulate and be stored in wetland soils for thousands of years.

“I decided to enter the competition as I knew I had an entertaining story to tell about a serendipitous moment in science” said Jeffrey. Jeffrey’s winning entry was based on a field campaign along the drought-stricken floodplains of the Murrumbidgee River where his team discovered “Serendipity in Science is finding yourself standing in poo, just when you need it most!”

Jeffrey plans to use his award to assist him to travel and attend a wetland science conference in 2014 where he hopes to present results of his current PhD research.

Congratulations to our first runner up, Dr Shih-Ping Su (Jim) a young researcher in the Functional Genomics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney.

“I am delighted that ATA Scientific has decided to award Dr Shih-Ping Su with the second prize of the ATA Scientific Travel Award” said Jim’s supervisor, A/Prof Deborah J Marsh.

Jim’s research seeks to determine the mechanisms by which tumour suppressor protein, CDC73, regulates cell death and division and to establish whether this protein, can be used as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer.

“I believe the role that serendipity plays in scientific discoveries is very important and somewhat underestimated. Some of the major breakthroughs in science were surprise discoveries. I believe that we should all keep in mind that no matter how good we are as scientists, we are human and therefore should always keep an open mind when analysing unexpected results”.

Jim intends to use his award to attend the HUPO (Human Proteome Organization) 13th Annual World Conference in Spain next year (Oct 5-8, 2014).

Congratulations to our second runner up, Robin George Andrews, an enthusiastic Postgraduate Volcanologist currently undertaking a PhD in experimental volcanology under A/Prof James D.L. White, Geology Department, University of Otago. Robin is investigating cratering dynamics and the thermodynamic system behind the 1886 Rotomahana (New Zealand) eruption. His final thesis will combine experimental physics, numerical modelling and fieldwork to form a comprehensive framework for the physics behind volcanic eruptions.

Click here to view the winning articles

We would like to thank all those that participated. The next Travel Award for 2014 will be posted on our website soon.

For more information or to stay informed of other upcoming promotions please contact us or ‘Like us” on Facebook.

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ATA Scientific would like to thank all those that participated in our March 2014 Study Award promotion.

Congratulations to our first prize winner, Miss Marjorie Griffiths, PhD Candidate at Victoria University of Wellington. Marjorie is studying under the supervision of Prof. Kate McGrath and Assoc. Prof. Bill Williams at Massey University. The team is focused on the development of state-of-the art tools to study structure, dynamics and interactions of macromolecular assemblies.

“I have developed a novel method for measuring forces between oil droplets to understand how these forces define bulk sample properties”, described Marjorie.

Using holographic optical tweezers, a focused beam of laser light enables micrometer sized oil droplets to be immobilised and their position controlled in 3-dimensions. Interactions between droplets are visualised and measured as a function of droplet separation. This research aids in understanding how the ensemble of tiny forces defines the organoleptic properties of foods leading to smarter food design.

Marjorie is currently finishing her PhD and plans to use her award to assist with her remaining school fees.

Congratulations to our first runner up, Mr Omar Mendoza Porras, PhD student at the CSIRO and Flinders University. Omar works under the supervision of both Dr Michelle Colgrave and Dr James Harris and is based at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct in Brisbane, Australia.

Omar’s research is focused on applying proteomics to the Australian abalone farming industry. He intends to use his award to attend the Bioinformatics workshop in Brisbane in early May and the Australia Abalone Growers Association (AAGA) meeting this year in Adelaide.Omar explained “As a graduate student money is always welcome for travelling and/or education, therefore seeking funds to cover these expenses is part of my development as a scientist”.

“I decided to enter the competition with a humoristic and fictional story because I believe that sense of humour is an important component of self- development. Moreover, being able to laugh at yourself allows you to find a positive side on life during difficult situations”, said Omar.

Congratulations to our second runner up, Miss Marie-Claire Demers, PhD candidate studying under the supervision of Prof. Andy Davis, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong and Dr. Nathan Knott, Department of Primary Industries.

Marie-Claire’s PhD project examines the dynamics of marine invertebrates in a threatened seagrass community. Her aim is to uncover the spatial distribution of sponges and ascidians inhabiting Posidonia australis meadows and to determine the factors driving their distribution. This study is crucial to the conservation and management of threatened species since seagrass specific species might be at risk of extinction in accordance with their host habitat.

“Most people are not aware of the importance of seagrass meadows. Being the marine equivalent of a rainforest, they sustain many species by providing food and shelter while also providing us with clear water, fish stock and healthy coastlines. The ATA Scientific Study Award is an opportunity to communicate my research and to acquire additional data so as to conserve this incredible ecosystem” said Marie-Claire.

The funding provided by this award will contribute to acquiring additional data in Spain to study European Posidonia meadows and facilitate the management and conservation of both seagrass species.

Click here to view the winning articles

We would like to thank all those that participated. The next Travel Award for 2014 will be posted on our website soon.

For more information or to stay informed of other upcoming promotions please ‘Like us” on Facebook or contact us.

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ATA Scientific would like to thank all those that participated in our July 2014 Study Award promotion.

Congratulations to our first prize winner, Mr Nathanial Harris, PhD Candidate at the, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong. Nathanial is studying under the supervision of Associate Professor Marie Ranson. IHMRI is a community of academic researchers and other health professionals with a common interest in advancing health and medical research in the region. The team is focussed on investigating the causes of major diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease and Cancer.

Nanthanial’s PhD research is involved with understanding cancer metastasis, the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Specifically, N harris cheque 300×212 Winners of our Young Scientist Study Award Jul 2014his work focuses on the Plasminogen activation pathway, and the genes involved, which a tumorigenic system hijacks in order to invade and spread throughout the body.

“I am developing and testing novel, ligand-directed cytotoxins that simultaneously target and deliver a toxic drug dose to breast or pancreatic tumours expressing the biomarker, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). It is anticipated that this simultaneous targeting strategy may lead to a dramatic improvement in the treatment of uPA positive cancers with limited systemic toxicity” said Nathanial.

Nathanial recently wrote and performed a song to explain his cancer research. This clever three minute video was created at Nathanial’s laboratory in Wollongong. Stay tuned for Nathaniel’s next music video featuring his winning entry!
Nathanial plans to use his award to assist with his overseas travel expenses to attend the International Society for Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis conference in Rome.

Congratulations to our first runner up, Ms Sarah Laird, PhD Chemistry student at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University. Sarah works under the supervision of Dr Conor Hogan senior lecturer at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science. Sarah is currently finishing up her PhD on the synthesis, characterisation and sensing application of luminescent Iridium(III) complexes.

“I have synthesised a family of Iridium complexes which show fascinating luminescent and electrochemical properties. I’ve discovered that they have highly sensitive pH and oxygen sensing abilities and well as being very good emitters for electrochemiluminescence applications” said Sarah.

When asked why Sarah chose to enter the competition, Sarah replied ” The topic resonated with me, I normally stay away from politics but the continued lack of investment in education and research is a growing concern and I felt I should say something about it”.

Sarah plans to use her award to attend the RACI National Congress in Adelaide at the end of the year. “This award will help my research a lot. My scholarship has run out and I have to teach to support myself while I finish, this will help ease the burden”.

Congratulations to our second runner up, Ms Andrea Fullagar, Masters candidate studying under the supervision of Professor Richard Kingsford, Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of NSW. The team is focused on investigating the ecology of wetlands and rivers in particular by studying different animals, plants and ecosystem processes that depend on these flows. Andrea is investigating the way in which different waterbird species and communities use environmental flows that created different types of foods for their growth, survival and breeding. In particular, she will be investigating the use of different types of habitats by waterbirds in the Macquarie Marshes and how this varies over the period of a year.

Andrea plans to use her award on her research and will be presenting her work at an Ecological Society of Australian conference.

Click here to view the winning articles.

We would like to thank all those that participated. The next Study Award for 2014 will be posted on our website soon.

For more information or to stay informed of other upcoming promotions please contact us or ‘Like us” on Facebook.

Contact us

ATA Scientific would like to thank all those that participated in our October 2014 Travel Award promotion. Our winner was selected by a panel of office bearers from the local CRS chapters and announced during the recent Australian & New Zealand CRS student workshop held in Adelaide (23 & 24 Oct 2014).

Congratulations to Nicolas Alcaraz, (PhD candidate, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences) for winning our Young Scientist Travel Award. The award includes a $2000 contribution for travel costs to attend the 42nd Annual Meeting & Exposition of the Controlled Release Society, July 26-29, 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland. A copy of the winning entry can be found below.

“Please find below the abstract for the poster I plan to present at the Edinburgh meeting in 2015 for the CRS and also why this subject is both relevant and novel:

Targeting drugs and imaging agents to specific tissues has always been of interest as it enables a new method to improve drug efficacy and visualisation of tissues and processes. Recent approaches have involved seeking covalent attachments of probes to cells with metabolic labelling. Metabolic labelling involves the labelling of a cell, through surface expression of a functional group, by taking advantage of its natural metabolic pathways. Sugars are generally taken up by cells and once metabolised expressed on the cell surface as part of glycoproteins. These sugars can be modified such that a functional group of interest is also expressed on the cell surface. Commonly the group used on these unnatural sugars is an azide as it is small, not biologically active and biologically safe. A probe can be attached to the azide group on the cell surface through specific reactions known as copper-free click chemistry.

Copper-free click chemistry involves using two functional groups that will react spontaneously and quickly to form a covalent bond. The most common reaction is an azide sugar reacting with a strained cyclooctyne that has an alkyne group. Previous studies have employed a functionalised dye that can be imaged using microscopy based techniques allowing f or specific imaging of cells and sugar related biological processes. Currently, these two techniques have been used together primarily for imaging purposes. A novel approach that involves using these two techniques together to allow for selective and specific targeting of cells by particles of interest will be tested. These particles may be drug delivery systems such as liquid crystal lipid systems.

These potential alternative uses will be examined and investigated. If possible this may lead to a new treatment method for diseases such as cancer. A proof of concept study was carried out at the Australian Synchrotron using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) to determine if click chemistry could attach a drug delivery system to a surface. The study involved coating a quartz cover slip with a modified strained cyclooctyne. Azide-Phytantriol cubosomes were then added to the surface and SAXS was used to determine the liquid crystalline structure on the surface. The preliminary results are positive and the work will proceed into cells. This presentation will be relevant to the CRS meeting as not only does the work involve targeted drug delivery but also the ability to control drug release at the site leading to improvements to current treatments. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge this concept of using metabolic labelling and copper-free click chemistry as a method of drug delivery is novel and has not been attempted previously.”

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